News
Local

Council considers centennial project

This artist's concept shows the Events Centre that will replace the Dow People Place. The $5 million project also includes a waterfront community centre, leased restaurant, outdoor patio, a water feature and other attractions. SUBMITTED/THE OBSERVER/QMI AGENCY

More Coverage

Related Stories

In 1967, Sarnia city council was divided on how much to pay for its legacy project to mark Canada's centennial, says Dave Boushy.

A councillor then and now, Boushy said he remembers council eventually authorized then-mayor Henry Ross to purchase the bayside property that is now Centennial Park, outbidding private industrial companies interested in the land.

“What would Sarnia be without Centennial Park?” he asked Saturday.

Another legacy project comes to city council Monday for approval in principle, this time marking Sarnia's centennial in 2014.

A citizen's legacy project committee's $5.3-million proposal suggests redeveloping the Dow People Place — in need of $100,000 in upgrades anyway — and the 45-year-old vacant and unused MacLean Centre — which officials say would otherwise cost the city $500,000 to maintain.

The project would include a privately-operated restaurant and community centre, plus a new roof, new stage and other features — including an outdoor fireplace and possible skating rink — at the Dow People Place.

The city is contributing $1 million from its reserve fund and the remaining 80% will be fundraised by the committee, said Coun. Mike Kelch.

“The proposal is addressing two things that council's going to need to do something about sooner rather than later,” he said.

But without enough fundraising the project won't proceed, said Kelch, who is council's representative on the legacy project committee.

“The sooner they can get started the better chances they have of being successful,” he said.

Coun. Jon McEachran said he'll likely support the project in principle.

“Critics are going to say that we should maybe do something smaller, less expensive,” he said. “But the less expensive you go, the less you get.

“I think if we really want to do something to improve our city and mark our anniversary that this is an appropriate project.”

Mayor Mike Bradley has said he likes the project, and Coun. Terry Burrell has said it could have merit, although he's expressed concern council wasn't able to debate several ideas.

Coun. Anne Marie Gillis said she's concerned with the proposed project's flow, noting she'd rather see something bigger and more connected.

Other concerns include the short time frame to build by 2014, whether the project is self-sustaining, and whether paying 20% of the cost will impact capital reserves for roads and other expenses.

There's $250,000 in the waterfront development reserve and $750,000 in the city's capital reserve, she said.

“I'm extremely cautious on this and without any really hard data to prove that in principle I agree with the concept,” she said.

Coun. Andy Bruziewicz said, in an email, he'd like to hear more from the public.

“Given the history of past proposals for the city-owned waterfront lands ... it would be prudent, in my view, to allow reasonable period for public comments to assess the public acceptance and support for the project,” he said.

Remaining councillors weren't available for comment.

“A lot of people are going to tell you too much money; a lot of people are not happy,” said Boushy. “The same thing happened when we bought Centennial Park.

“It is our centennial, the city's centennial. We are proud of our community and I am very happy and honoured to support that project.”